Santa Fe Prep watched a big lead get away in a quarterfinal loss to Texico last year. It also surrendered a 15-point lead in an overtime loss in Tucumcari this season.

Wednesday was different. Posts Ian Andersson and Ben Perillo controlled the paint early and during the game’s final stretch as the Griffins (22-7) fought off a late comeback try by the Rattlers (23-6). Andersson finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

“We weren’t going to let it happen again,” said Perillo, who collected 10 points and five boards. “Everyone at school was saying, ‘Don’t let that happen.’ We stayed aggressive to the end today.”

Santa Fe Prep led wire to wire but had to fight off repeated comebacks by the hustling Rattlers. The Griffins grabbed their largest lead, 39-24, on a 3-pointer by Francis Castillo y Mulert midway through the third quarter, but the cushion didn’t last long.

D’Ontee Sandoval, who scored a team-high 20 points, sparked a 13-3 Tucumcari run. His steal and layup cut the deficit to 42 -37 with 5:44 remaining.

“We had some opportunities on drives,” Rattlers coach John Span said, “and the kids never stopped fighting.”

But Andersson and Perillo converted three-point plays in the final three minutes and the Griffins gradually put the victory away.